New York Fugitive Arrested After Multiday Manhunt
A New York fugitive, suspected of killing his father and setting their home on fire, was captured on Sunday. Thomas David Ryan, 32, had been on the run since his father’s death, involving the FBI and various police agencies across the state.
Ryan was apprehended in the Gilboa area of Schoharie County, according to the New York State Police. The manhunt began after Robert Ryan, 70, was found dead in his burning Greenville home on Thursday evening. Authorities confirmed that the fire was intentionally set.
Details surrounding Ryan’s capture have not been disclosed by authorities, though they plan to release more information later. The case started around 7:30 p.m. Thursday when state troopers responded to a house fire on Greenville Turnpike in Orange County. After firefighters extinguished the flames, Robert Ryan’s body was discovered inside the home.
Police quickly identified the fire as arson, leading them to treat Robert Ryan’s death as a homicide. The search for Thomas Ryan commenced soon after. Though Ryan did not reside with his father or have known ties to the Greenville area, the investigation pursued various leads.
Believing Ryan left in a gray 2016 Toyota Prius belonging to his father, police described him as “armed and dangerous,” cautioning anyone who saw him to call 911 rather than approach. Surveillance footage from homes and businesses was scrutinized to trace Ryan’s movements following the alleged crime.
As the search expanded, investigators requested local residents to examine footage captured from around 6 p.m. Thursday onward. Ryan, having lodged in shelters across New York and frequented the Plattsburgh area, was reportedly known for traveling by train, prompting checks at prior accommodations and coordination with rail operators.
The extensive manhunt involved the FBI, NYPD, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and multiple local and state agencies. As of now, police have not revealed a motive for the crime or announced any charges against Thomas Ryan.